Today's practice in the beautiful sunshine of Seattle was an opportunity for the Sounders to
slow down a bit. It is one of those rare weeks with merely one game. That game is as large a
Cascadia game has ever occurred in MLS, but still it is merely one game. The number one story today
was the amount of activity out there.

Twitter lit up today when it was reported that Christian Sivebaek had been waived by the
Sounders. It should be noted that there has been no confirmation on this. Joshua Mayers has
reported on Twitter that "the Sounders have no comment, but I didn't see [Sivebaek] at the end of
practice" While we wait for confirmation regarding the fate of the big Dane, we can at least
analyze the implications of this potential move.

UPDATE: In an email sent to Chicago Fire media they have confirmed that Jalil
Anibaba recieved a Red Card after the whistle. Also stated in the email was that Frank Klopas was
dismissed from the field by the referee (the coaching equal of a Red).

For most of us, there were two main emotions we felt at the end of the Seattle Sounders' 2-1 win
over the Chicago Fire on Saturday.

As players and coaches gather near the bench for one last pregame huddle, a vibrant banner is
unfurled in the Emerald City Supporters' section behind the south goal at a buzzing CenturyLink
Field.The colorful flags of a dozen nations are artistically displayed, and there's a message below
a series of silhouetted figures:

Watch the game here. It starts at 7 p.m. on what fellow blogger Joshua Mayers of The Seattle Times
observes is a beautiful evening in Seattle (that's Mount Rainier for those unfamiliar with the
topography in the Pacific Northwest). Live video from your Android device on Ustream

Via a couple of tweets, first by Joshua Mayers of the Seattle Times and then confirmed by Matt
Gaschk from the front office, we learn that Osvaldo Alonso has gained his United States
citizenship. This really doesn't have a Sounders roster impact, since he's had a green card for a
number of years now and hasn't taken up an international slot, but given that he's a Cuban refugee
I'm sure it's a special achievement for him personally.

It is finally here. This week the Sounders play what potentially could be the most important
match as an MLS team as they take on Santos Laguna of the Mexican Primera DivisiÃ³n. The first of
the two-legged series will be played on Wednesday March 7th at Century Link field at 7:00 pm. If
you haven't gotten your tickets, by the way, you can get them at the box office.

The U.S. Under-14 Boys' National Team had a busy two-day slate of scrimmages last week at The
Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif.

After playing Chivas USA's Academy team to a 3-3 draw and Fram Sportsklubben to a 5-2 loss last
Thursday, May 17, the U-14s rebounded with two wins on Saturday, May 19 â€“ a 3-0 victory against
CZ Elite FC and a 5-0 win against the San Diego Sockers.

Chris and Ted return before the new week of MLS kicks off with a very special episode. First,
Joshua Gimeson from The Rukus, an independent Orlando City SC supporter's group drops in to give us
a fan's perspective of Orlando's prospects as a potential expansion team. Then Giovanni returns to
give more thoughts about Montreal and ELAC comes on in the third segment to talk about a potential
soft re-brand of Chivas USA.

Joshua MacFarlane from Beta Soccer did some research to find out who has the best online support
in MLS. The Revs ranked in at 13th, which is somewhat surprising given the number of Facebook fans
the team has. We're also among the leaders in youtube activity, oddly enough.

Shalrie Joseph was suspended and fined by MLS on Tuesday for a reckless challenge that occurred
during last Thursday's 1-0 loss to FC Dallas. (Photo: Joshua Pearson)

When Jay Heaps fills out hisÂ starting XIÂ on Saturday, one player he won't have at his disposal
is his captain.

On Tuesday, MLS announced that Revolution midfielder Shalrie Joseph had been suspended for one
game "for his reckless challenge that endangered the safety of his opponent" during last Thursday's
match at FC Dallas.

Former trialist Florian Lechner appears set to sign for the Revs. (Photo Credit:Â Joshua
Pearson)

The New England Revolution may finally be getting some much needed help at fullback. German
defender Florian Lechner is ready to sign for the Revolution according to a report on
Kicker, Germany's leading sports magazine.

Stephen McCarthy played at center back for the first time in an MLS match on Saturday. (Photo:
Joshua Pearson).

After each match the contributors to New England Soccer Today will rate the performances of
the New England Revolution players who made an appearance on a 1 to 10 scale (1 horrendous, 5
average, 10 perfection).

With the 2012 season set to kick-off on Saturday, the staff of New England Soccer Today
and special guest Kevin Koczwara of The Soccer Guys took our best guess at how the New
England Revolution will fare in 2012.

Sheanon Williams has joined the United States Men's National under-23 team (USMNT), replacing
Joshua Gatt on the squad's roster.

The Philadelphia Union and US Soccer confirmed the Brotherly Game's report that Williams was
called up to join the youth national team in Nashville ahead of the start of Confederation of
North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) Olympic Qualifying.

US Soccer officially announced their 20 man roster for the upcoming Olympic qualifiers in
Nashville, and potentially Kansas City. It's basically the same lineup that was named last week to
the US camp. The only difference is that Joshua Gatt was recalled by his club team, and was
replaced by Philadelphia defender, Sheanon Williams.

The Rest

Former Ghana goalkeeper Richard Kingson's wife has gone on Nigerian TV to claim she used black magic to sabotage his career and make him impotent. Adelaide Tawiah said her evil powers were used to make Kingson's life a misery between the sticks and between the sheets. She said: "I messed up Richard's life ever since [.

Continuing the "Plight Of..." series which has led us around the league, looking into those who
work behind the scenes, looks at the MLS Athletic Trainer. On the sidelines, typically with medical
bags or water bottles attached to their hips, these are the people charged with keeping the players
safe from themselves.